Emergency alerting system for remotely located sites

ABSTRACT

A system for providing emergency alerting capability to persons at or near a remote banking terminal (ATM) or night-depository, in such a manner as to minimize risk to the possible victim and maximize the emergency response authorities&#39; ability to monitor and respond to the situation. The device consists of a covert control and two-way communication unit attached to an Automatic Teller Machine or a night-depository. The unit is activated by a button or switch on the ATM, or by a remote radio receiver link from a keyed small radio transmitter. Upon activation, the unit dials a 911 emergency response office, establishing two-way voice communication from covert microphones at the ATM, and to a speaker hidden at the ATM. During communication, the unit is controlled by the emergency response operator. In an improved embodiment, the system would cover multiple automatic teller machines at an automatic teller machine site, so that when one of the automatic teller machines was activated by the user, there would be communication between that one automatic teller machine and a radio dispatcher at a 911 location, and the other automatic teller machines at the site would be deactivated.

This is a continuation-in-part application of prior, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 08/160,092, filed Nov. 30, 1993, U.S. Pat. No.5,548,632.

SPECIFICATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field Of The Invention

This invention relates to the field of emergency communication systemsfor making known the occurrence of an emergency requiring a response ata remote location.

2. General Background

The invention specifically relates to devices for making known theoccurrence of robberies and/or assaults on users of Automatic TellerMachines (ATMs) or night-depository stations at banks, especially inconditions where only the assailants and the victim are present, and asafe and effective response is required.

The vulnerability of banking devices and people using them is longknown. The current spread of ATMs, especially in remote and relativelyunattended locations, has exasperated the problem of security for usingATMs and night-depositories. Such devices in these remote locations posea danger, because they present the inviting opportunity of a remotelocation, a vulnerable individual, cash money and an easy chance ofescape after perpetration of the crime. Alarm systems are generallyineffective, as each alarm must be responded to by a central alarmresponse firm which must first analyze the nature of the incident beingalarmed before any assistance or help can be requested. Further, mostalarms require a noticeable effort to activate, presenting theprobability that the perpetrator will simply physically prevent thevictim from activating the alarm or will take a violent action againstthe victim if the victim is seen to attempt an alarm.

The use of telephones for calling for help has proven quitesatisfactory, as evidenced by the success of the 911 emergency responseservice nationally. However, installing pay phones at these isolatedlocations is not a practical solution for three major reasons. First, itis not economically feasible, as there is insufficient traffic to payfor the service. Next, persons using a pay phone are commonplace, notreadily taken as a danger sign. A pay phone, thus, is an ideal waitingplace for a perpetrator. Finally, a phone can easily be renderedinoperable by removing handset.

Any type of telephone, of course, requires a combination of actions touse, all of which are quite apparent to the perpetrator, and which anarmed perpetrator can easily prevent or suppress. The placement of aregular telephone handset on an ATM or a night-depository is thusequally unsatisfactory. Any person planning a crime at the site willsimply disable the telephone by forcibly removing or disabling thehandset. It is further quite apparent again to a perpetrator whether avictim attempts to reach for a handset, and the perpetrator can usuallyphysically prevent the victim from completing a call.

The wide-spread use of a standardized emergency response telephonesystem using a standardized number, "911", to switch through theexisting telephone system into an emergency response network. Since suchan emergency response network is required to respond to possiblemultiple simultaneous calls, it is a universal policy that no blindalarm may be used to directly dial into the 911 network. At all times,the 911 network requires the capability of controlling the duration andconnection of a call so that the emergency response operator controlsthe line for every telephone call that is connected to the 911 network.As a result, alarm systems, in the sense of an automated alertingsystem, are prohibited from inter-connection to the 911 system bysubstantially all 911 jurisdictions.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

This invention discloses a system for providing emergency alertingcapability to persons at or near a remote banking terminal (ATM) ornight-depository, in such a manner as to minimize risk to the possiblevictim and maximize the emergency response authorities ability tomonitor and respond to a known situation.

In summary, the device consists of a covert control and two-waycommunication unit attached to an Automatic Teller Machine or anight-depository, with two principle means of activation.

The first means of activation is a button or slap plate on the ATM whichactivates the emergency communications system. The second means ofactivation is a remote radio receiver link, which works in conjunctionwith a keyed small radio transmitter. These remote transmitters can beissued to customers who use the night-depository. This can also includepersons engaged in ATM maintenance who are vulnerable to attack becausethey are known to be capable of opening the ATM, giving access to thecash bank therein.

Upon activation, the device searches for, within an attached telephoneline or plurality of telephone lines, an available line identifying anavailable line by standard telephone signaling tone. The device thenrepeatedly accesses an emergency response number, usually 911, until avoice grade connection can be established with the emergency responsecenter. The device then activates two-way communication between theemergency response center and the ATM or night-depository. Included inthis are covert, relatively long-range microphones covering the entirevicinity of the ATM and night depository for the pick-up of sound andvoice, as well as a speaker system permitting the emergency responseoperator to communicate with all persons in the vicinity of the ATM andnight depository.

The device further remains responsive to and controllable by theemergency response operator during the period of voice interconnectionand specifically, the device responds to control codes/tones which areused by the emergency response operator to control the 911 system topermit the emergency response operator to continue the connection or toterminate the connection after analysis of the circumstances as revealedby the sound being picked up in the vicinity of the ATM ornight-depository and any response to verbal communication from theemergency response operator. This latter feature is essential forobtaining approval to interconnect the device with the emergencyresponse system.

In addition to the features and objects of the original system, it is aprincipal object of the improved system to increase the readiness of theSafeAlert system so that if a phone line or electric power failurehappens, the telephone or electric company is notified for maintenance.

It is a further principal object of the improved system to proved anetwork which would allow the expansion of the SafeAlert system to coverup to three ATM's at a single branch.

In an additional embodiment of the system of the present invention,there is included the audio bridge network which is an expansion of thesystem to cover up to at least three ATMs at one branch. The audiobridge network would convert one safe alert system into two additionaltelephones for turns on the appropriate microphone and speakercombination with a push of the 911 button for that particular ATM.Further, the improvements include a feature of monitoring reportingwhich includes a security management which is able in "real time" reviewand dispatch the appropriate repair and security personnel for an ATM.This may include the electric company, phone company, and branchsecurity management.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the presentinvention, reference should be had to the following detaileddescription, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich like parts are given like reference numerals, and wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 represent block diagrams of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention comprises an emergency communication system forinstallation on an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) or in the vicinity ofa night depository box which provides for a significant and largelycovert communications function enabling a victim to call for medicalassistance or report a crime as a result of a criminal confrontation atan ATM or night depository. While the description below concentrates oninstallation on an ATM, which is considered the most vulnerable locationfor assaults upon lone users, it should be apparent to those of skill inthe art how the invention is equally installable in the vicinity ofnight depositories and bank lobbies or windows, and similar remotesites. It is not considered that the invention is intended for locationswhich enjoy extensive traffic, in as much as the constant presence ofnumbers of people tends to prevent the type of surruptous approach inrobbery which occurs at lone ATMs. Additionally, the risk of falseactivation is considered unduly high in such locations.

The invention consists of a concealed control unit 2 located in a mannerso that it is not accessible readily to the public. This can beaccomplished by placing the primary box containing the unit behind anATM 4 or in some other location closely physically approximating theATM, but concealed from view and access. At the ATM is provided amanually activated alert means 6. This may consist of a push button or aslap plate. It is preferred that the ATM 4 have a large warning signthat police notification is available from the sight, as a deterrenceagainst perpetrators lurking in the vicinity of the site. However, noother visual or audial indication of activation of the alert systemshould be at the location so as to minimize perpetrator reaction to anactual activation. The on-site means for alerting 6 is preferably a pushbutton which may either a thumb activated button, or preferably, alarger button which may be activated by pressing with the palm, andwhich can be preferably surreptously pressed as though the individual isleaning against the ATM. Within the alert means there is a firstactivator circuit 8 which provides three separate forms of activation.

The first form of activation is by depressing the button 6 provided onthe ATM. As an option, this activation circuit may be interconnected tothe ATM so that it is only activated on a combination of an ATM cardbeing inserted 10 in the ATM, indicating a legitimate customer orpossible victim, and depressing of the button. This is considereddesirable in some locations to prevent false activation by vandals orpassers by.

A second activation circuit 12 is provided as a UHF radio receiver,responding to tone codes to identify a specific transmitter 14.

Such receivers 12 and transmitters 14 are known in the art for othersignaling and control purposes. In this invention, the transmitter 14 isprovided as a small hand-held push button short range transmitter 14,such as may be provided on a wristband as though it were a wristwatch,or as a key ring attachment, of as a pendant. Each transmitter 14 isidentified by a particular digital code held in a non-volatile memoryform, the code being transmitted as digital modulation on the radiosignal and received by the activator circuit. The activator consists ofa receiver decoding the digital transmission and comparing it with aseries of authorized digital transmitters which are also in non-volatilememory within the radio activator circuit 12. Upon detection of a matchof a digital code being received with a digital code in memory,indicating an authorized user of the ATM, the activator circuit 8triggers an activation. This coding serves to authenticate thetransmitter as associated with a specific ATM, preventing false alarm bythe wrong ATM.

Upon an activator circuit 8 triggering a valid activation, acommunications system 16 activates and performs the following tasks insequence:

First, unless the unit is connected to a dedicated telephone line, theunit 16 searches the telephone lines 18 t is connected to for an openline by detecting the presence of a dial tone.

Upon detecting a dial tone, the unit 16 goes off-hook and begins apre-programmed dialing sequence into the connected 911 telephone system.The 911 telephone system is a specific telephone interconnect providedby local telephone companies and is well understood. Access to and thehandling of such a call is described in, for instance, U.S. Pat. No.5,249,223 to Vanacore which discloses the sequence of processing of the911 call once dialed into a local central office. The ATM 4 will, ofcourse, have been previously registered with the 911 system so as toprovide identification of the location in the coding of the 911 call.Suitable techniques for such coding and interconnection are disclosedin, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,630 to Moody et al.

The connection unit 16 then monitors the line 18. If no sound isdetected on the phone line for ten or twelve seconds after dialingwithout receiving a ring-back tone, a one and a half to two second tone,the alert system goes on-hook, re-accesses the telephone line 18 andrepeats the dialing sequence 20.

The same sequence 20 is followed if a busy tone, a repetitive five orsix times tone within the first ten or twelve seconds after dialing, isreceived.

The re-dialing sequence 20 is also done if a steady tone of threeseconds duration immediately follows the dialing of the number,indicating a failure of the local central office to 911 system to fullyconnect as may be called by a hang-up on an incoming call or therejection of dialing information by the phone company.

Upon detection of the ring-back tone, a tone of one to two secondsduration followed by a silence of an equal or greater duration, andindicating the ringing of the 911 phone, the redial circuits 20 arelocked out.

Upon answering and connection of the service, the alert unit 2 performstwo tasks. First, it immediately connects covertly located microphones22 to the telephone line. The microphones 22 are placed in the ATM tocover an area within a fifteen foot radius of the ATM, transmitting 300to 5000 hertz, the typical voice tones. It 2 also connects the telephoneline to a covertly location speaker 24 at the ATM. The speaker 24 has avolume loud enough to be heard within the same fifteen foot radius ofthe ATM. Both the speaker 24 and the microphones 22 are immediatelyconnected for audio transmission to and from the 911 system through thelocal telephone lines 18. At the same time, the communications system 16is armed to respond to the presence of a dial tone, a steady tone, or atermination tone, indicating termination of the circuit by the 911emergency response operator 28, and, at this point, will release theline and reset for a subsequent activation and recall.

The unit may also be equipped with a time-out circuit 26 to time-out andrelease the 911 line after a fixed time of connection as may be requiredby the local emergency response authorities.

It is considered critical for the invention, that the alerting device 2interconnects with the emergency response operator 28 for two-waycommunication, permitting the emergency response operator 28 to monitorthe voice conversations occurring within a fifteen foot radius of theATM, and, at the same time, if deemed appropriate, to address thepersons in the vicinity of the ATM or night depository to induce aresponse. It is equally important the 911 operator 28 maintains finalcontrol over the connection to the response line from the time ofactivation, and that the alert device 2 respond to any forced disconnectby the 911 emergency operator 28 response. It is the presence of thesecharacteristics, which are not present in a blind alarm system, whichpermit the alert system to directly connect to a 911 emergency responseoffice.

All 911 emergency response centers known to the inventor, refuse topermit direct interconnection of an alarm signal alert to 911, becausethe prevalence of false alarms, and the inability of the 911 emergencyresponse operator to control ultimately access to and duration ofconnection the 911 system. It is the invention's providing of two-wayvoice communication immediately upon a signaling of an alert, togetherwith the devices response to and termination control by the 911emergency response office that makes the device acceptable as a directaccess alerting system to the 911 system.

In the event of radio alert activation which may occur for a unitinstalled in an ATM or a unit installed in night depository box,additional covert microphones 22 are provided to provide for a moredistant voice pick-up. This is in consideration of the fact that theremote alarm is designed specifically for use by specific customers whohabitually deposit or carry large amounts of cash to or from an ATM or anight depository. It is considered appropriate to provide such personswith a method of signaling an alert upon approach to a night depositoryor ATM if it appears that an unsafe or dangerous condition exists. Sincethis is likely to occur at a distance outside the normal fifteen footvoice radius of the manually activated system, it is important toprovide directional microphones providing for longer range voicemonitoring. Such microphones can be provided and typically will providefor a 35 to 40 foot voice range, which may be aimed towards a knownlocation. The trusted depositors, equipped with the individual alertingdevice, will, of course, be briefed on the location to be for propervoice monitoring.

It is considered important that the invention provide no visibleindication of its activation, as this is considered to reduce thepossibility that the perpetrator will take violent action against thevictim. All 911 emergency response offices record all conversations andtransmissions made into them. This provides a proper evidentiary recordof all verbal communications occurring after activation of the alertsystem and provides important evidence for the apprehension andconviction of any perpetrator. This recorded evidence is considered tobe a significant advantage of the system, in as much as the 911emergency response office recordings will typically be fully admissibleevidence in court, whereas a mechanical tape recorder connected to aremote alarm system would meet no such evidentiary standards. Theknowledge that events occurring within the vicinity of any ATM equippedwith the invention permit direct identification and conviction of theperpetrator would have a long term deterrent effect against crimes beingperpetrated against users of ATMs and night depository boxes equippedwith the invention.

It can readily be seen how the invention permits easy and covertactivation of an alerting system for emergency response by the possiblevictim of an attack in the vicinity of a remote ATM or night depositorybox without inducing violent reaction against the victim as would beinduced by a visual or an audible alarm going off. Further, the two-waycommunication provided by the invention to a manned response pointsignificantly reduces the possibility of false alarms and increases theprobability of detection and apprehension of persons who attempt falselyto alarm the unit. In addition, the option in which a card must beinserted before a manual alarm can be sounded further reduces thepossibility of false alarms. Finally, the invention, providing totalcontrol over the alerting and recording process on the part of the 911emergency response office, both satisfies all requirements forconnection directly to 911 emergency response office and, at the sametime, provides for an evidentiary record which significantly increasesthe chances of apprehension and conviction of any perpetrator of thecrime against the user of such a device.

Further, since all aspects of the alarm are covert, and add noadditional equipment to the ATM, the possibility of vandals disablingthe alerting system is significantly reduced or eliminated. This isparticularly true in comparison with the practice of putting a two-waytelephone handset at such a unit; such handsets are almost invariablypulled off or destroyed, and any perpetrator would sabotage such a unitbefore lying in wait for his victims.

An improved embodiment of the present invention is seen in the blockdiagram as FIG. 2, and is referred to in part as the Audio BridgeNetwork. This network would allow the expansion of the SafeAlert systemto cover up to three ATM's at a single branch. This expansion can takeplace when the ATM's are in close proximity to one another. This is anAudio Bridge which converts one SafeAlert into two additional telephonesfor turns on the appropriate microphone and speaker combination with thepush of the 911 button for that particular ATM. Only the speaker andmicrophone on the ATM where the 911 button is pushed becomes operative.This is done to decrease background notice and increase effectiveness.This is significant when conversation of telephone lines is a concern.

Furthermore, the improved embodiment would include a system ofmonitoring reporting in the system. Under the improved system, SecurityManagement can in "real time" review and dispatch the appropriate repairand security personnel for an ATM. This could include: electric company,phone company, and branch security management. This would provide up tothree SafeAlert status reports for a particular branch through theexisting alarm system and alarm station. These are: activation--acpower--phone line failure. via three separate zones on an existing alarmsystem.

Any bank with a central station alarm facility can utilize a standarddata base format to ensure that each zone brings up the appropriatepoint of contact for faults or usage at that branch. This is critical tothe readiness of the SafeAlert system as a phone line or electric powerfailure happens, the telephone or electric company is notified formaintenance. It can thus be seen that the invention provides for aunique and far more effective alerting system for the assistance tousers of remotely located ATMs, night depository boxes and similarlocations which are particularly susceptible to assaults on victimsknown to be carrying money.

The following table lists the part numbers and part descriptions as usedherein and in the drawings attached hereto.

    ______________________________________                                        PARTS LIST                                                                    Desription           Part No.                                                 ______________________________________                                        concealed control unit                                                                              2                                                       ATM                   4                                                       manually activated alert means                                                                      6                                                       activator circuit     8                                                       ATM card             10                                                       second activation circuit                                                                          12                                                       transmitters         14                                                       unit                 16                                                       telephone lines      18                                                       redial circuits      20                                                       microphones          22                                                       speaker              24                                                       emergency response operator                                                                        28                                                       ______________________________________                                    

Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within thescope of the inventive concept herein taught, and because manymodifications may be made in the embodiments herein detailed inaccordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to beunderstood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrativeand not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed as invention is:
 1. An emergency alert system for usewith multiple automatic teller machines located at an automatic tellermachine location when one of the machines is approached by an authorizeduser to obtain banking services from the teller machine, the systemcomprising:a) activation means operated by the user for establishingboth operation of the automatic teller machine being used for bankingservices and a two way communication between the user at the automaticteller machine in use and an emergency dispatcher, wherein said two waycommunication is a direct interconnection of an alarm signal alert to aselected emergency "911" number; b) said communication originating froma microphone positioned at the automatic teller machine being used topick up sounds from the vicinity of the automatic teller machinelocation; c) said communication being a speaker located at the automaticteller machine being used to receive sound communication from theemergency dispatcher to the vicinity of the automatic teller machinelocation; and d) termination means for allowing only the emergencydispatcher to terminate said two way communication.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising an audio bridge which converts one automaticteller machine into two additional telephones that turns on theappropriate microphone and speaker combination with the push of the 911button for that particular automatic teller machine being used.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, said means for establishing the two-way communicationincludes a manually activated switch located at said automatic tellermachine location.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said means forestablishing the two-way communication includes a coded radiotransmission generated from an individual radio transmitter carried bythe user and transmitted to a receiver concealed in said automaticteller machine.
 5. An emergency response communications system for useat an automatic teller machine location having at least three automaticteller machines, the system comprising:a) at least one microphonereceiving sound signals from each of the automatic teller machines atthe automatic teller machine site; b) at least one speaker communicatingvoice signals to each of the automatic teller machines at the automaticteller machine sites; c) activation means for establishing bothoperation of at least one automatic teller machine for banking servicesand a two way sound communication between the one automatic tellermachine and an emergency dispatcher in response to a telephone call fromthat automatic teller machine, wherein said two way communication is adirect interconnection of an alarm signal alert to a selected emergency"911" number, from the automatic teller machine being used; and d)termination means for allowing only the emergency dispatcher toterminate said communication between the dispatcher and the oneautomatic teller machine being used in communication with thedispatcher.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein said activation means forestablishing communication includes:a) means for connecting to atelephone line; b) means responsive to a dial tone on said telephoneline, for dialing an emergency dispatcher; and c) means responsive to aninterconnect with an emergency dispatcher, for controlling said soundcommunications, terminating said communications upon detection of a tonecode from said emergency dispatcher directing said termination.
 7. Thesystem in claim 5, wherein said means for dialing comprises dialing 911.8. The system in claim 5 wherein said activating signal comprises amanually activated switch, activated at the automatic teller machinesite.
 9. The system in claim 5 wherein said activating signal comprisesa coded radio signal from an individual radio transmitter located at theautomatic teller machine site.
 10. The system in claim 9 wherein saidradio transmitter comprises a small, hand held transmitter transmittinga digital code corresponding to an authentication of said transmitter.11. The system in claim 5 wherein said means for dialing furthercomprises:a) means, responsive to the presence of tones on saidtelephone line, for detecting failure to connect to said emergencydispatcher; b) means, responsive to the detection of said failure, forre-dialing said emergency dispatcher; and c) said means for redialingcontinuously redials until connection to said emergency dispatcher isestablished.
 12. The system of claim 5 further comprising means,responsive to the establishment of voice communications from saidemergency dispatcher, which prevents further re-dialing.